Kym Worthy loses bid to get more money for prosecutor's office

May 14, 2013

A committee of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposed settlement that would have added about $7 million to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy's annual budget. / Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A committee of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposed settlement that would have added about $7 million to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s annual budget.

The committee heard arguments on the matter nearly two hours Tuesday morning, but many were left concerned that finding so much money with about five months left in the budget year would lead to layoffs in other county departments.

Last fall, County Executive Robert Ficano proposed — and county commissioners approved — a $25.6-million general fund budget for Worthy. It was down from $31.7 million in the previous fiscal year and roughly $8.5 million less than Worthy was promised in a memo of understanding three years ago. Ficano has said about $100 million in lost property tax revenue led to a decrease in the amount of money available in the county. Worthy, who challenged the layoffs of 26 people — including 22 attorneys — last month, said she was not able to fulfill her constitutionally required duties with the current budget.

“All of you knew we couldn’t do it on $25 million,” Worthy told the board Tuesday morning.

Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak worried about the precedent that would be made by the settlement, and the cuts that would have to be made in other places.

“We have to look at the broad picture of our budget situation,” he said.